Stepping and Waist Twirling Exercise Machine

ABSTRACT

A stepping and waist twirling exercise machine includes left and right stepping rods having left and right through holes and left and right stepping platforms having left and right shafts. The shafts are inserted into bearings provided in the through holes. Left and right coil rollers are provided on the shafts. The coil rollers are provided with left and right rope units each having left and right ropes. The ropes have first ends and second ends. The first ends of the ropes are secured to two sides of the coil rollers, respectively. The second ends of the ropes are secured to a frame and a machine base, respectively. When the left and right stepping platforms are stepped downward in turn, the left and right rope units will bring the left and right coil rollers to turn left or right synchronously, providing active or passive stepping and waist twirling exercise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a stepping and waist twirling exercise machine, and more particularly to one having left and right stepping platforms for turning left/right synchronously and a linking rope provided on left and right stepping rods for assisting the turning of the left and right platforms, providing stepping exercise and enhancing a waist twirling effect.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A conventional stepping exercise machine is provided with stepping pedals to move stepping rods, by the application of forces during the stepping motion by the user, the applied forces are resisted by fluidic cylinders. In order to provide a waist twirling effect, a turning axle between the two stepping rods may be biased at a proper angle for waist twirling exercise during the stepping motion. The conventional machine has the following shortcomings.

1. The waist twirling exercise is achieved by the biased angle of the stepping rods, but the twirling angle is limited, which is unable to provide a better waist twirling effect.

2. The range of vertical movement of the stepping pedals is not adjustable for the user's demand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stepping and waist twirling exercise machine, comprising left and right fluidic cylinders pivotally connected to left and right stepping rods and a machine base, respectively, and two ends of a linking rope of a linking mechanism secured to the left and right stepping rods for interconnecting the left and right stepping rods to compress the left and right fluidic cylinders in turn, characterized by:

the left and right stepping rods having left and right through holes for insertion of left and right bearings, left and right stepping platforms being provided on the left and right stepping rods, the left and right stepping platforms having left and right shafts to be inserted into the left and right bearings, the left and right stepping platforms providing active stepping and wait twirling exercise along with the user's left/right turning.

Preferably, the linking mechanism comprises:

a roller holder having a roller with a roller axle to secure a support seat, the support seat having an adjusting hole thereon;

a linking rope disposed on the roller, the linking rope having two ends secured to the left and right stepping rods, respectively;

a locating board disposed on a frame, the locating board having a confining hole corresponding in position to the adjusting hole; and

an adjusting bolt inserted through the confining hole of the locating board and screwed to the adjusting hole of the support seat of the roller holder.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stepping and waist twirling exercise machine, comprising left and right fluidic cylinders pivotally connected to left and right stepping rods and a machine base, respectively, and two ends of a linking rope of a linking mechanism secured to the left and right stepping rods for interconnecting the left and right stepping rods to compress the left and right fluidic cylinders in turn, the machine comprising:

the left and right stepping rods having left and right through holes for insertion of left and right bearings, left and right stepping platforms being provided on the left and right stepping rods, the left and right stepping platforms having left and right shafts to be inserted into the left and right bearings;

left and right coil rollers secured to the left and right shafts, the left and right coil rollers being provided with left and right rope units each having left and right ropes, the left and right ropes having first ends secured to two sides of the left and right coil rollers and second ends secured to the machine base and a frame, respectively; and

left and right supporting mechanisms comprising left and right limit boards, left and right stop boards, and left and right pulleys disposed on the left and right stepping rods, the left and right rope units being located between the limit boards and the pulleys;

whereby, when the left and right stepping platforms are stepped downward in turn, the left and right ropes of the left and right rope units being pulled reciprocally to drive the left and right coil rollers to turn left/right synchronously, proving passive stepping and waist twirling exercise.

Preferably, two sides of each of the coil rollers are formed with notches for engagement of the left and right ropes.

Preferably, each of the left and right rope units is composed of a rope and a sleeve.

Preferably, the left and right pulleys are pivotally connected to front inner sides of the left and right stepping rods and formed with at least a groove for engagement of the left and right ropes of the left and right rope units.

Preferably, the left and right stop boards are connected to respective sides of the left and right stepping rods and located between the left and right limit boards and the left and right pulleys, and have upper and lower stop holes for insertion of the left and right ropes of the left and right rope units and for securing the left and right sleeves.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stepping and waist twirling exercise machine comprising left and right fluidic cylinders pivotally connected to left and right stepping rods and a machine base, respectively, and two ends of a linking rope of a linking mechanism secured to the left and right stepping rods for interconnecting the left and right stepping rods to compress the left and right fluidic cylinders in turn, the machine comprising:

the left and right stepping rods having left and right through holes for insertion of left and right bearings, left and right stepping platforms being provided on the left and right stepping rods, the left and right stepping platforms having left and right shafts to be inserted into the left and right through holes;

left and right coil rollers secured to the left and right shafts;

left and right limit boards disposed under the left and right stepping rods and located in front of the left and right coil rollers, the left and right limit boards having left and right limit holes, the left limit hole being adapted for insertion of left and right ropes of a left rope unit and for securing left and right sleeves of the left rope unit, the right limit hole being adapted for insertion of left and right ropes of a right rope unit and for securing left and right sleeves of the right rope unit;

left and right pulleys pivotally connected to respective front inner sides of the left and right stepping rods and secured to left and right pulley boards for changing directions of the left and right ropes and driving same turning angles of the left and right coil rollers to turn the left and right stepping platforms synchronously;

left and right stop boards secured to respective sides of the left and right stepping rods and located between the left and right limit boards and the left and right pulleys, the left stop board having upper and lower stop holes and the right stop board having upper and lower stop holes for stabilizing the left and right ropes into the grooves of the left and right pulleys;

the left and right rope units, the left and right ropes of the left rope unit and the left and right ropes of the right rope unit being provided with the left and right sleeves, the left and right ropes of the left rope unit having first and second ends, respectively, the first ends of the left and right ropes of the left rope unit of the left stepping rod being secured to two sides of the left coil roller, the second end of the left rope being secured to a left fixing board of the machine base, the second end of the right rope being secured to an upper fixing board of the frame; the left and right ropes of the right rope unit having first and second ends, respectively, the first ends of the left and right ropes of the right rope unit of the right stepping being secured to two sides of the right coil roller, the second end of the left rope being secured to the upper fixing board of the frame, the right rope being secured to a right fixing board of the machine base; and

a linking mechanism disposed on the frame, the linking mechanism having a linking rope with two ends secured to the left and right stepping rods.

Preferably, the linking mechanism comprises:

a roller holder having a roller with a roller axle to secure a support seat, the support seat having an adjusting hole thereon;

a linking rope disposed on the roller, the linking rope having two ends secured to the left and right stepping rods, respectively;

a locating board disposed on a frame, the locating board having a confining hole corresponding in position to the adjusting hole; and

an adjusting bolt inserted through the confining hole of the locating board and screwed to the adjusting hole of the support seat of the roller holder.

Preferably, two sides of each of the coil rollers are formed with notches for engagement of the left and right ropes.

Preferably, the left and right pulleys are formed with at least a groove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1-A is an exploded view showing a stepping platform and a stepping rod of the present invention;

FIG. 1-B is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 1-C and 1-D are schematic views of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention in an operating status;

FIG. 1-E is a partially sectional view of a linking mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 1-F is a cross-sectional view of the linking mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2-A is a front perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2-B is a rear perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2-C and 2-D are schematic views of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention in an operating status;

FIG. 3 is a left bottom view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3-A is an enlarged view showing a coil roller of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention in an operating status.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 1-A and FIG. 1-B, left and right stepping rods 1 and 1′ have left and right through holes 111 and 111′ for insertion of left and right bearings 1111 and 1111′. Left and right stepping platforms 12 and 12′ are provided with left and right shaft 121 and 121′ to be inserted into the left and right bearings 1111 and 1111′. When the user stands on the left and right stepping platforms 12 and 12′ for motion, the left and right stepping platforms 12 and 12′ are able to turn left or right along with the user's twirling motion, providing active stepping and waist twirling exercise.

As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 2-A, FIG. 2-B, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, left and right coil rollers 13 and 13′ are provided on the left and right shafts 121 and 121′. The coil rollers 13 and 13′ are provided with left and right rope units 15 and 15′ at two sides thereof. The left and right rope units 15 and 15′ are set up with a support mechanism. The support mechanism includes left and right sleeves 1511, 1521, 1511′, and 1521′ fitted on left and right ropes 151, 151′, 152, and 152′. Two ends of the left and right sleeves 1511, 1521, 1511′, and 1521′ are secured to left and right limit boards 14 and 14′ and left and right stop boards 191 and 191′, respectively. The other ends of the left and right ropes 151 and 152 on the left stepping rod 1 are secured to a frame 10 and a machine base 11 through a left pulley 19. Oppositely, the other ends of the left and right ropes 151′ and 152′ on the right stepping rod 1′ are secured to the frame 10 and the machine base 11 through a right pulley 19′. When the left and right stepping platforms 12 and 12′ are stepped downward in turn, the left and right rope units 15 and 15′ will bring the left and right coil rollers 13 and 13′ to turn left or right synchronously, providing passive stepping and waist twirling exercise.

Referring to FIGS. 1-E and 1-F, the frame 10 is provided with a linking mechanism 2. The linking mechanism 2 includes a linking rope 22 having two ends secured to the left and right stepping rods 1 and 1′ respectively and an adjusting bolt 24 for controlling ascension and descent of the linking rope 22 to control the left and right stepping rods 1 and 1′. The foresaid structure is in conjunction with the damping of left and right fluidic cylinders C and C′ to achieve stepping exercise as well as waist twirling exercise.

FIG. 1-A, FIG. 2, FIG. 2-A, and FIG. 2-B show a stepping and waist twirling exercise machine of the present invention. The fluidic cylinders C and C′ are pivotally connected to the left and right stepping rods 1 and 1′ and the machine base 11, respectively. The left and right stepping rods 1 and 1′ compress the left and right fluidic cylinder C and C′ in turn for a damping effect. The stepping and waist twirling exercise machine comprises left and right stepping rods 1 and 1′, left and right coil rollers 13 and 13′, left and right limit boards 14 and 14′, left and right pulleys 19 and 19′, left and right stop boards 191 and 191′, left and right rope units 15 and 15′, and a linking mechanism 2.

The left and right stepping rods 1 and 1′ have left and right through holes 111 and 111′ for insertion of left and right bearings 1111 and 1111′. Left and right stepping platforms 12 and 12′ are provided with left and right shaft 121 and 121′ for extending from the left and right bearings 1111 and 1111′ in the left and right through holes 111 and 111′.

The left and right coil rollers 13 and 13′ are disposed on the left and right shafts 121 and 121′.

The left and right limit boards 14 and 14′ are disposed under the left and right stepping rods 1 and 1′ and located in front of the left and right coil rollers 13 and 13′. The left and right limit boards 14 and 14′ have left and right limit holes 141 and 141′. The left limit hole 141 is adapted for insertion of left and right ropes 151 and 152 of the left rope unit 15 and for securing left and right sleeves 1511 and 1521. The right limit hole 141′ is adapted for insertion of left and right ropes 151′ and 152′ of the right rope unit 15′ and for securing left and right sleeves 1511′ and 1521′.

The left and right pulleys 19 and 19′ are pivotally connected to front inner sides of the left and right stepping rods 1 and 1′, respectively. The left pulley 19 has at least one groove, and is secured to a left pulley board 192. The right pulley 19′ has at least one groove, and is secured to a right pulley board 192′. The left and right pulleys 19 and 19′ are adapted for changing the direction of the left and right ropes 151, 152, 151′ and 152′ and for driving the same turning angle of the left and right coil rollers 13 and 13′ so as to turn the left and right stepping platforms 12 and 12′ synchronously.

The left and right stop boards 191 and 191′ are secured to the sides of the left and right stepping rods 1 and 1′ and located between the left and right limit boards 14 and 14′ and the left and right pulleys 19 and 19′. The left stop board 191 has upper and lower stop holes 1911 and 1912 for stabilizing the left and right ropes 151 and 152 into the groove of the left pulley 19. The right stop board 191′ has upper and lower stop holes 1911′ and 1912′ for stabilizing the left and right ropes 151′ and 152′ into the groove of the left pulley 19′.

The left and right rope units 15 and 15′ includes the left and right limit boards 14 and 14′, the left and right ropes 151 and 152 of the left rope unit 15, the left and right ropes 151′ and 152′s of the right rope unit 15′, and the right and left sleeves 1511, 1521, 1511′ and 1521′. The left and right ropes 151 and 152 of the left rope unit 15 have first and second ends, respectively. The first ends of the left and right ropes 151 and 152 of the left rope unit 15 of the left stepping rod 1 are secured to two sides of the left coil roller 13. The second end of the left rope 151 is secured to a left fixing board 17 of the machine base 11. The second end of the right rope 152 is secured to an upper fixing board 101 of the frame 10. The left and right ropes 151′ and 152′ of the right rope unit 15′ have first and second ends, respectively. The first ends of the left and right ropes 151′ and 152′ of the right rope unit 15′ of the right stepping rod 1′ are secured to two sides of the right coil roller 13′. The second end of the left rope 151′ is secured to the upper fixing board 101 of the frame 10. The right rope 152′ is secured to a right fixing board 18 of the machine base 11.

The linking mechanism 2 includes a roller holder 21 disposed on the frame 10, a roller 211, and a linking rope 22 on the roller 211. The linking rope 22 has two ends secured to the left and right stepping rods 1 and 1′.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2-C, FIG. 2-D, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, when the right stepping platform 12′ is stepped, the left rope 151′ of the right rope unit 15′ subjected to the lower stop hole 1912′ of the right stop board 191′ pushes the left sleeve 1511′ of the left rope 151′ such that the left rope 151′ brings the right coil roller 13′ to turn clockwise as well as the right stepping platform 12′ to turn clockwise synchronously; meanwhile, the left stepping platform 12 drives the left stepping rod 1 to rise by means of the linking rope 22 when the right stepping rod 1′ is stepped. The left sleeve 1511 of the left rope 151 is urged by the upper stop hole 1911 of the left stop board 191 such that the left rope 151 brings the left coil roller 13 to turn clockwise as well as the left stepping platform 12 to turn clockwise synchronously. On the contrary, when the left stepping platform 12 is stepped, the right rope 152 of the left rope unit 15 subjected to the lower stop hole 1912 of the left stop board 191 pushes the right sleeve 1521 of the right rope 152 such that the right rope 152 of the left rope unit 15 brings the left coil roller 13 to turn counterclockwise as well as the left stepping platform 12 to turn counterclockwise synchronously; meanwhile, the right stepping platform 12′ drives the right stepping rod 1′ to rise by means of the linking rope 22 when the left stepping rod 1 is stepped. The right sleeve 1511′ of the right rope 151′ is urged by the upper stop hole 1911′ of the right stop board 191′ such that the right rope 152′ brings the right coil roller 13′ to turn counterclockwise as well as the right stepping platform 12′ to turn counterclockwise synchronously.

As shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 3-A, the coil roller 13 and 13′ are formed with notches 131 and 131′ for engagement of the left and right rope 151, 152, 151′, and 152′ of the left and right rope unit 15 and 15′.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 1-A˜1-F, the linking mechanism 2 may achieved by a linking adjustment mechanism to adjust the range of the vertical movement of the left and right stepping rods 1 and 1′, namely, consisting of a linking rope 22, a roller holder 21, a locating board 23, and an adjusting bolt 24.

The roller holder 21 comprises a roller 211 with a roller axle 2111 and a support seat 25 above the roller 21. The support seat 25 has an adjusting hole 251 thereon.

The linking rope 22 is placed on the roller 211, and has two ends secured to the left and right stepping rods 1 and 1′, respectively.

The locating board 23 is disposed on the frame 10, and has a confining hole 231 corresponding in position to the adjusting hole 251.

The adjusting bolt 24 in inserted through the confining hole 231 of the locating board 23 and screwed to the adjusting hole 251 of the support seat 25 of the roller holder 21.

Accordingly, when the adjusting bolt 24 is turned clockwise/counterclockwise, the linking rope 22 will be driven to adjust the range of vertical movement of the left and right stepping rod 1 and 1′ for the user's demand.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A stepping and waist twirling exercise machine, comprising left and right fluidic cylinders pivotally connected to left and right stepping rods and a machine base, respectively, and two ends of a linking rope of a linking mechanism secured to the left and right stepping rods for interconnecting the left and right stepping rods to compress the left and right fluidic cylinders in turn, characterized by: the left and right stepping rods having left and right through holes for insertion of left and right bearings, left and right stepping platforms being provided on the left and right stepping rods, the left and right stepping platforms having left and right shafts to be inserted into the left and right bearings, the left and right stepping platforms providing active stepping and wait twirling exercise along with the user's left/right turning.
 2. The stepping and waist twirling exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linking mechanism comprises: a roller holder having a roller with a roller axle to secure a support seat, the support seat having an adjusting hole thereon; a linking rope disposed on the roller, the linking rope having two ends secured to the left and right stepping rods, respectively; a locating board disposed on a frame, the locating board having a confining hole corresponding in position to the adjusting hole; and an adjusting bolt inserted through the confining hole of the locating board and screwed to the adjusting hole of the support seat of the roller holder.
 3. A stepping and waist twirling exercise machine, comprising left and right fluidic cylinders pivotally connected to left and right stepping rods and a machine base, respectively, and two ends of a linking rope of a linking mechanism secured to the left and right stepping rods for interconnecting the left and right stepping rods to compress the left and right fluidic cylinders in turn, the machine comprising: the left and right stepping rods having left and right through holes for insertion of left and right bearings, left and right stepping platforms being provided on the left and right stepping rods, the left and right stepping platforms having left and right shafts to be inserted into the left and right bearings; left and right coil rollers secured to the left and right shafts, the left and right coil rollers being provided with left and right rope units each having left and right ropes, the left and right ropes having first ends secured to two sides of the left and right coil rollers and second ends secured to the machine base and a frame, respectively; and left and right supporting mechanisms comprising left and right limit boards, left and right stop boards, and left and right pulleys disposed on the left and right stepping rods, the left and right rope units being located between the limit boards and the pulleys; whereby, when the left and right stepping platforms are stepped downward in turn, the left and right ropes of the left and right rope units being pulled reciprocally to drive the left and right coil rollers to turn left/right synchronously, proving passive stepping and waist twirling exercise.
 4. The stepping and waist twirling exercise machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein two sides of each of the coil rollers are formed with notches for engagement of the left and right ropes.
 5. The stepping and waist twirling exercise machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the left and right rope units is composed of a rope and a sleeve.
 6. The stepping and waist twirling exercise machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the left and right pulleys are pivotally connected to front inner sides of the left and right stepping rods and formed with at least a groove for engagement of the left and right ropes of the left and right rope units.
 7. The stepping and waist twirling exercise machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the left and right stop boards are connected to respective sides of the left and right stepping rods and located between the left and right limit boards and the left and right pulleys, and have upper and lower stop holes for insertion of the left and right ropes of the left and right rope units and for securing the left and right sleeves.
 8. A stepping and waist twirling exercise machine, comprising left and right fluidic cylinders pivotally connected to left and right stepping rods and a machine base, respectively, and two ends of a linking rope of a linking mechanism secured to the left and right stepping rods for interconnecting the left and right stepping rods to compress the left and right fluidic cylinders in turn, the machine comprising: the left and right stepping rods having left and right through holes for insertion of left and right bearings, left and right stepping platforms being provided on the left and right stepping rods, the left and right stepping platforms having left and right shafts to be inserted into the left and right through holes; left and right coil rollers secured to the left and right shafts; left and right limit boards disposed under the left and right stepping rods and located in front of the left and right coil rollers, the left and right limit boards having left and right limit holes, the left limit hole being adapted for insertion of left and right ropes of a left rope unit and for securing left and right sleeves of the left rope unit, the right limit hole being adapted for insertion of left and right ropes of a right rope unit and for securing left and right sleeves of the right rope unit; left and right pulleys pivotally connected to respective front inner sides of the left and right stepping rods and secured to left and right pulley boards for changing directions of the left and right ropes and driving same turning angles of the left and right coil rollers to turn the left and right stepping platforms synchronously; left and right stop boards secured to respective sides of the left and right stepping rods and located between the left and right limit boards and the left and right pulleys, the left stop board having upper and lower stop holes and the right stop board having upper and lower stop holes for stabilizing the left and right ropes into the grooves of the left and right pulleys; the left and right rope units, the left and right ropes of the left rope unit and the left and right ropes of the right rope unit being provided with the left and right sleeves, the left and right ropes of the left rope unit having first and second ends, respectively, the first ends of the left and right ropes of the left rope unit of the left stepping rod being secured to two sides of the left coil roller, the second end of the left rope being secured to a left fixing board of the machine base, the second end of the right rope being secured to an upper fixing board of the frame; the left and right ropes of the right rope unit having first and second ends, respectively, the first ends of the left and right ropes of the right rope unit of the right stepping being secured to two sides of the right coil roller, the second end of the left rope being secured to the upper fixing board of the frame, the right rope being secured to a right fixing board of the machine base; and a linking mechanism disposed on the frame, the linking mechanism having a linking rope with two ends secured to the left and right stepping rods.
 9. The stepping and waist twirling exercise machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the linking mechanism comprises: a roller holder having a roller with a roller axle to secure a support seat, the support seat having an adjusting hole thereon; a linking rope disposed on the roller, the linking rope having two ends secured to the left and right stepping rods, respectively; a locating board disposed on a frame, the locating board having a confining hole corresponding in position to the adjusting hole; and an adjusting bolt inserted through the confining hole of the locating board and screwed to the adjusting hole of the support seat of the roller holder.
 10. The stepping and waist twirling exercise machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein two sides of each of the coil rollers are formed with notches for engagement of the left and right ropes.
 11. The stepping and waist twirling exercise machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the left and right pulleys are formed with at least a groove. 